Introducing KNOVA — A free reading app with curriculum-aligned passages on History & Science for Grades 3-8Learn More →

Understanding the Koppen Climate Classification System — Reading Comprehension

No ratings yet

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

MS-ESS2-6
MS-LS2-5

Rate this resource

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

About This Reader

This NGSS-aligned science reading passage explains the Köppen Climate Classification System, a scientific method used to categorize Earth’s climates based on temperature and precipitation. Students will explore the five main climate zones (A, B, C, D, E), understand subtypes like Af (tropical rainforest), and learn how this system helps scientists study weather, ecosystems, and climate change. The passage includes real-life applications, such as how climate affects biodiversity, agriculture, and human lifestyles. Ideal for middle school Earth and environmental science lessons, it supports key literacy and science comprehension goals.

CONTENT PREVIEW

The Köppen Climate Classification System is one of the most widely used tools to describe Earth’s different climates. Developed by German scientist Wladimir Köppen in the early 1900s, this system groups the world’s climates based on temperature, rainfall, and seasonal patterns. Scientists, geographers, and meteorologists use it to study weather patterns, ecosystems, and climate change.

The system divides climates into five major categories, each labeled with a capital letter:

A: Tropical (hot and wet)
B: Dry (deserts and dry grasslands)

C: Temperate (mild with seasons)
D: Continental (cold winters, warm summers)
E: Polar (very cold all year)

Each category can be broken down into subtypes using additional letters. For example, “Af” means a tropical rainforest climate, where it rains all year and stays warm. “Aw” is a tropical climate with a dry winter. “BS” means a semi-arid climate (like a steppe), and “ET” is a tundra climate found near the poles.

This system is helpful because it shows how climate affects plants, animals, and human life. For example, tropical climates support lush forests and diverse wildlife, while dry climates are home to cacti and animals that can survive with little water. People also build homes, grow food, and dress differently depending on the climate they live in.

The Köppen system helps scientists compare regions, track changes in global temperature, and understand how climate change may shift the boundaries of these zones over time. It is also used in agriculture, education, and environmental planning.

Fun Fact: Some parts of Hawaii, Brazil, and Indonesia all share the same “Af” climate—even though they are on different continents!

Who created the Köppen Climate Classification System?

Charles DarwinIsaac NewtonWladimir KöppenCarl Linnaeus

What does the “A” category in the Köppen system represent?

Arctic climateDry climateTropical climateMountain climate

What does “Af” stand for in the Köppen system?

Arctic frostAlpine fallTropical rainforestDesert and forest

Which category describes areas with cold winters and warm summers?

A – TropicalD – ContinentalB – DryE – Polar

Why is the Köppen system useful?

It shows Earth’s gravityIt explains ocean tidesIt helps study and compare climatesIt tracks earthquakes

What does the second letter in a Köppen code represent?